After a bit of testing, the CyanogenMod Installer app has hit Google Play for everyone. When combined with the desktop client (and a USB cable), this becomes the fastest way to install CyanogenMod. It won't work on every phone, but it completely automates things on supported devices.

The app is basically a guide for preparing your phone to be detected and flashed by the desktop client, which does all the heavy lifting. You don't need to be rooted or unlocked before using the installer – it'll take care of everything for you. Since the process involves unlocking the bootloader, not all devices are supported. You can see the full list of supported phones as of now on the CyanogenMod wiki. It includes Nexus devices, of course, but also a number of recent Samsung devices and most HTC One variants. Missing are all Verizon phones (except for the Gnex), which are locked down more tightly.

If you've got a supported device, this is a fine way to get on the custom ROM train. CyanogenMod has a pretty streamlined update system, so you won't need to muck around in recovery mode to keep things up to date.

Comments

Not the Nexus 10. The only AOSP build I can find can't run video apps like Netflix because it lacks the updated binaries.

Gabernasher

Fuck Samsung.

Gabernasher

Though I love their TVs / Computer Monitors.

Sam Hollis

So much truth it hurts.

Matt

Some of the features will still require the updated binaries. I don't think custom ROMs will be able to solve the compass issue on the Nexus 4, for instance, until then.

Kyle Riedemann

The Galaxy Nexus is never getting updated binaries and I'm sure everything will work on that eventually. Different chipsets I know, and one that's easier to develop for, but somebody will make it happen at some point.

Matt

Well that's the question. Some phones end up never having a working compass or poor reception or slower graphics on custom ROMs in perpetuity because those issues are never worked out in later versions of the OS. The Galaxy Nexus is certainly pretty well-loved among developers, but that's the thing I would be most worried about now that binaries are no longer being released.

r/android discussed these, they are updated yes, but hey're from 2012 before kitkat was made. TI has been very good about supporting their hardward, the GNex guys are lucky because of that.

Barnassey

They are newer than that actually. The last commit for those binaries was earlier this year. That doesn't mean they cant use them.

mikeym0p

Very true, use what you have

David Peterson

Has Google given any sort of timeline for the update?

I don't have any of those (just got a N5) but I thought part of the fun of having a Nexus was always getting the latest version ASAP as a new Nexus owner this isn't looking promising...

Kyle Riedemann

There is no Google timeline. HTC said the 15th for the HTC One GPE, so maybe they'll all be released then, maybe not. The rumored 4.4.1 update and the known issues with the Nexus 10 running some parts of Kit Kat (the translucent bars have to be disabled) don't leave me very hopeful.

mikeym0p

We'll have it within the next two weeks. They're rolling out wifi only images this week, once the servers are freed up they promised they'll be hosting 3g tablet and N4 updates.

(with our luck, N4 will be last. But it's not that big of a deal to me)

Cherokee4Life

I have KitKat on my HTC EVO LTE right now thanks to CyanogenMod

Bluewall

This won't happen at all. CM won't start working on nightly for N4, 7 and 10 before they have the source ;)

Kyle Riedemann

Yeah... I just hope Google releases it soon. At least be before the HTC One GPE gets Kit Kat.

Bluewall

That would be pretty much insane wouldn't it ? :D

Kyle Riedemann

If HTC hits it's date then Google only has two days to beat them. Even crazier, if they don't push it out until something like 4.4.1 is ready or if the Nexus 10 has weird issues holding it back, HTC said the developer edition One was going to get it 30 days after announcement. That would be even crazier if they only got it out a few days before HTC brought Sense over to it.

Mohammad Danish

Spoke too soon?

Kyle Riedemann

Sure hope so! I don't like the sound of "soon" for the Nexus 4 and celular Nexus 7 though....

mikeym0p

Well technically google has had it running on the N4 since it's inception. But yes, CM and AOSP based builds are already out. Glory to root!

De5str0yer.

This is why CyanogenMod is worth it , oh there's also this preety neat extra feature i love so much.

Mike L

No CLI, no fly. (Any more corny Bob Marley references?)

IamTheFij

*cry?

Mike L

Actually although that sounds a bit better, I intended originally to
write fly. Yeah I know the original song before anyone asks. Thanks for
improving my pun. (Seriously, no smart remark intended!)

Yea, the Nexus root toolkit just just added a profile for the N5 the other day including the updated TWRP, and boot files. Don't feel the need to root mine yet though.

unni123456

Just today morning, I bid good bye to CM after being yelled at over at XDA for asking a question, and ordered a Nexus 5. :)

MatthewDiluzio

too bad it doesnt work on the nexus 5

Crispin Swickard

Might have to wait a little until they can manage a 4.4 build for that. ;)

h_f_m

That's the reason I buy Nexus devices.. so I don't have to root and install custom software to get a vanilla experience.. The nexus program is fantastic.

Cesar

"Missing are all Verizon phones (except for the Gnex), which are locked down more tightly."

Goodness, I hate Verizon.

Gabernasher

Yes you still pay them lots of dollars per month

Jaggari

Flashing from Recovery still my favorite, no cables involved, no PC involved and recovery backup and restore works. Looks like CM Installer needs you to copy the internal SD card content to an external SD card or PC each time before flashing.

James_C_L

Obligatory, "fuck you verizon" post

Guest

is it only released in specific markets?

b_freeman

Does anyone know if the C Spire Galaxy S III is still combined with the Sprint S III for CM?

Nolsp

Does anyone know if this has a built-in backup similar to Titanium backup?

So I should be banned for speaking the truth that cyanogen inc sold out and bash the very community that made them not to mention nothing they make is worth calling "news", hooray for censorship.

andy_o

No, by all means, keep doing what you're doing.

deano

seeing as you're so clever shouldn't you be able to work that out yourself?

A Black UI is the best UI

So I should somehow care about a company that decided to sell out and turn on the people that made them who they are.

Gé den Bok

Is it possible to make a desktop client for Linux?

Andreas Brandenborg

This is so awesome!

Tiago Rodrigues

We need this on i9305

didibus

I want to put a custom rom on my phone, and every tutorial I find skip the part of how I can properly backup everything on my locked non root phone. Even this installer just says: step 1, Backup your Data. Thanks, but how? Shouldn't the installer have done so itself, I mean, it probably could do a adb backup with the right settings automatically and save it on my comp.

didibus

So this will unlock my phone and install CyanogenMod, will it re-lock my phone afterwards? Will it keep root?

Mohan

I just isntalled this on my Nexus S, and wow, it just screams now. I love it. Kinda want to go back to it from my Moto X!